Ripping off a helmet, Flying Isa N kicked to a 1:56.2 victory in the $9,200 Preferred Trot at Rideau Carleton Raceway on Sunday (June 21), giving trainer Yves Tessier one of his three wins on the card.
Wildwild Men went to the top while Pasadena Star sat in the pocket. Flying Isa N raced fifth to a :27.4 first quarter and grabbed cover passing a :57.4 half when Boo Thang angled first over. Boo Thang advanced towards Wildwild Men and raced within a length of the lead passing three-quarters in 1:26.4 and drew closer to the lead into the final turn. Wildwild Men faded into the stretch while Boo Thang stalled, prompting Flying Isa N three wide as Pasadena Star rushed out of the pocket. Flying Isa N closed quickest to the finish, winning by a half length over Pasadena Star with Boo Thang finishing third.
A 12-year-old Pegasus Spur gelding, Flying Isa N won his first race from three starts this season and his 47th from 169 overall, earning $603,049. Stephane Brosseau drove the $17.50 winner for owner Francois Morin.
The win was the first on the card for Tessier. He then won the following race with J P Oscar ($13.30) and then two races later with Think Again ($7.90).
In the $9,200 Preferred Pace, Vanilla Malted rolled off cover to pull an 18-1 upset in 1:53.2. The four-year-old Sweet Lou gelding landed in sixth while Speed To Market charged to the front past a :26.3 first quarter. As the tempo slowed to a :55.2 half, Vanilla Malted tipped off the pylons and grabbed cover from Maracasso and got carried close to the lead nearing three-quarters in 1:24.1.
Around the final turn Vanilla Malted angled three wide as Maracasso faltered and slid to the lead into the stretch. He clung to command as 2-1 favourite Brigadierbronski A charged late for the lead, however Vanilla Malted maintained control to the finish to win by three-quarters of a length. Stonebridge Beach closed from last for third.
Returning $38.30 to win, Vanilla Malted won his fifth race from eight starts this season and his 18th from 39 starts overall, earning $71,103. John MacMillan trains and co-owns the winner with 2099551 Ontario Inc. while Clarke Steacy sat in the sulky.
To view Sunday's harness racing results, click on the following link: Sunday Results - Rideau Carleton Raceway.